You would think a harmless sandcastle benefit to encourage arts in eduction could survive the federal government shut down, but apparently that won’t be possible at Ocean Beach—for now. Leap’s 30th Anniversary Sandcastle Contest, a fall tradition in San Francisco scheduled for this weekend, is postponed due to the shutdown.

Organizers for the contest posted this message on their website: “While we are disheartened by the National Parks Service decision to force the postponement of the 30th Anniversary Sandcastle Contest we are encouraged by the outpouring of support from the community. We will reschedule as soon as the government reopens for business.”

Ocean Beach is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, deemed a “non-essential” service as part of the government shutdown. Organizers for the contest were warned that SFPD or rangers could shutdown the event, which would have included participants from 20 local schools. Calls for clarification were directed to voice mail do to staffing cuts during the shutdown.

While contest organizers wait for the government to move, they are encouraging supporters to Leap Arts in Education and write their congressperson to “Help us end the insanity in Washington DC.” Good luck with that one.